December 28, 2021

Epiphany, New Year Blessings, Greetings from Haiti, Parishioner Nativities and much more...

Saint Josephine

Bakhita Parish

December 28, 2021

Dear Parishioners and Friends of Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish,

Greetings and blessings and Merry Christmas once again!!

Making sense of life is not easy. It is a serious quest, but there is always something else to divert our attention or something that demands our immediate attention, and we only too gladly avoid the hard thinking and discernment for another day. Yet deep inside, nagging questions keep bubbling to the surface and won’t be quieted. A question like: is there any point to all our striving, or is this just a long, painful journey to nowhere?

The magi or wise ones in the Christmas story knew that hurt or question, but they did not just settle for it. They sensed there was more to God than just a vague cloud somewhere on the fringes of the universe, so they invested themselves in a lifelong search to find God. And when the mysterious star appeared, their quest took on new urgency. They left home and risked everything to find the One from whom all life flows. And they would not be deterred.

At the end of their long journey, they were astonished to find God with a human face, lying in a manger. It was not what they had expected, but they were able to recognize him, because they had listening hearts and open eyes and ears.

Jesus spoke not a word, but by his fragile presence in the simple manger, he let their hearts know, that we do not walk alone. God is with us at every step, and all of God’s creation is gradually moving to that far off point, where all will be one in God.

Peace,

Fr. George Couturier

A warm thank you from Fr. George and the staff at Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish for all the ways you generously gifted us this Christmas Season. Thank you for your kind gestures, cards, gifts and support through this holy time of year! We are truly grateful!

Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish

Christmas Schedule

New Year's Eve

Friday, December 31

4:00 PM at St. James**

New Year's Eve Worship Aid, Click Here

Epiphany

Saturday, January 1

4:00 PM at St. James

Sunday, January 2

9:00 AM at St. Elizabeth Seton**

11:00 AM at St. James**

Epiphany Worship Aid, Click Here

** denotes Mass will also be livestreamed on Facebook

Blessing for Epiphany

Bless Your Home

Household on Epiphany

For a lovely blessing prayer,

Click Here.

Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish Nativities

Saint Josephine Bakhita Nativity Scenes 2021

Pray and reflect with this compilation of nativity scenes shared by members of the Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish community and crafted by faith formation students set to “Song of The Nativity” from Every Knee Shall Bend, Passionist Sacred Music (1997).

A Poem Prayer for the Turning of the Year

At The End of The Year

by John O’Donohue

As this year draws to its end,

We give thanks for the gifts it brought

And how they became inlaid within

Where neither time

nor tide can touch them.

The days when the veil lifted

And the soul could see delight;

When a quiver caressed the heart

In the sheer exuberance of being here.

Surprises that came awake

In forgotten corners of old fields

Where expectation seemed

to have quenched.

The slow, brooding times

When all was awkward

And the wave in the mind

Pierced every sore with salt.

The darkened days that stopped

The confidence of the dawn.

Days when beloved faces shone brighter

With light from beyond themselves;

And from the granite of

some secret sorrow

A stream of buried tears loosened.

We bless this year for all we learned,

For all we loved and lost

And for the quiet way it brought us

Nearer to our invisible destination.

~ Godspacelight.com

Giving Opportunities

Food & Cereal

For Our Local Pantries

We continue to seek food and cereal donations for our monthly delivery to the Rocky Hill and Amazing Grace food pantries. Non-perishable food items and cereal boxes can be dropped off at either church location:

St. James Church: Father Shea Hall, Mon - Fri (9:00 AM - 1:00 PM) or before the masses at 4:00 or 11:00.

St. Elizabeth Seton Church: Bins located near the kitchen, Mon - Fri (9:00 AM - 1:00 PM) or before the Sunday mass at 9:00.

Questions? Contact Sandy Ambrose amb321@cox.net or Carl Bach abcb1922@yahoo.com

Winter Clothing

Collection

The Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish Winter Clothing Collection started Monday, November 8. We accept Winter Clothing in clean, good to excellent condition. Place donations in the collection bin in the front foyer of St. James Church. Please note, we are no longer able to accept household goods.

Questions? Contact Sandy Rokosz at sandyrokosz7@hotmail.com

Christmas Greetings

from our

Sisters & Brothers

in Saintard, Haiti

On behalf of all of us at Saintard, we wish you and everybody at Saint Josephine Bakhita a Happy New Year. With friends like you I know 2022 is going to be a great year.

Sincerely,

Fr. Johnson Vil